Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Twelfth Month
The days quickly moved into the twelfth lunar month, and Gu Xiaoqing was already on winter break.
In this year’s winter exams, Gu Xiaoqing worked diligently and managed to maintain her first-place standing. Gu Juying, influenced by Gu Xiaoqing, achieved ninth place, which was quite an accomplishment for her.
Things at school had generally settled into routine, although there was an incident where Li Zuoxin, due to his mediocre teaching at the county middle school and his arrogant and overly blunt manner, was collectively ostracized by the teachers there, eventually having to appeal to Principal Gu.
He wanted to return to Sishui Middle School to continue teaching.
Unfortunately, Principal Gu directly refused.
Why rely on someone consistently unreliable like Li Zuoxin when he had a competent teacher in Fang Nan to develop?
After several unsuccessful pleas, Li Zuoxin reluctantly left.
He should have remembered how he had acted so arrogantly in front of Principal Gu back then; only a fool would be willing to have him return.
This is a case of creating your own misfortune.
The more he tries to jump around, the faster he falls.
Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai’s business had quieted down as the twelfth lunar month began, with each household busy preparing for the holiday. They decided to close their stalls and plan to enjoy the New Year at home after discussing with Li Weimin and Li Weiqiang.
The two were determined to save money; they now had thirty-four hundred yuan at hand.
That sum was quite a fortune.
At least they had secure plans for a five-room tiled house.
Gu Xiaoqing was also on holiday.
It was already the twelfth lunar month, and every household was beginning to prepare for the New Year.
Gu Ruhai was unloading some sacks from the wheelbarrow.
Gu Xiaojie was inspecting them, occasionally pinching the sacks with a look of disappointment.
Gu Xiaoqing was helping Li Xuemei move things into the kitchen when she noticed Gu Xiaojie’s mysterious behavior and asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Gu Ruhai straightened up to watch the siblings’ conversation.
"I’m looking for candy!"
The answer was given with such rightful confidence.
Gu Xiaoqing laughed; this one is a foodie through and through.
Ever since returning, Gu Xiaoqing had put in extra effort toward her family in hopes of improving things.
She was never stingy with food, and Li Xuemei, who felt she owed the children over the years, tried all sorts of ways to make up for it.
Indeed, they never fell short on food for Gu Xiaojie. Just look at his previously thin, sharp face, now round and chubby. His body had grown significantly in just a few months, to the point where a new cotton jacket made by Grandma Li Zhaodi had already become too short.
His wrist was exposed, making it seem like the parents didn’t care about him.
This child was certainly most concerned about food.
Gu Ruhai pulled a small cloth bag from the cart, shook it in front of Gu Xiaojie, and it rattled loudly.
Gu Xiaojie instantly jumped half a foot high trying to reach for the bag, calling out, "Dad, give it to me, give it to me."
Unfortunately, Gu Xiaojie hadn’t grown tall enough to reach it, and his attempt was intercepted by Gu Xiaoqing, who had grown a full head taller and promptly took the bag from Gu Ruhai. She extracted two candies and handed them to Xiao Jie, saying, "You can only eat one per day. These will ruin your teeth. When you lose all your teeth, let’s see what you’ll do."
Gu Xiaojie took the candies, pocketed one, and peeled off the sticky old wrapper of the other, slowly separating it from the candy. Finally, a red candy appeared, which went into his mouth.
Gu Xiaojie quickly closed his eyes in bliss, not forgetting to tell Gu Xiaoqing, "Second sister, I’ll just eat one today. Tomorrow, I’ll ask you for another."
Then he dashed out the door to find Zhang Zijie.
Currently, Gu Xiaojie and the neighbor’s Zhang Zijie were so close they might as well be joined at the hip. The friendship between these two similarly aged kids was truly comforting.
Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai teamed up to carry the remaining items from the cart inside.
The couple had planned earlier that, due to the success of their dumpling business this year, they had saved up some money. Though not wealthy, it was enough to provide a prosperous New Year for the children.
Li Xuemei was now confident that the business was doing well and resolved not to let it fail, overjoyed that their current situation was not inferior to others.
Li Xuemei was optimistic, thinking that if they kept working hard, not only a large house, but even supporting two university students was within reach.
It would soon be time to deliver New Year gifts.
It’s always this time in previous years.
Early this morning, the couple bought many items, including New Year gifts for both their parents.
More important than delivering to her parents was the gift for Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu, which Li Xuemei was determined not to delay.
The villagers knew about their business, and with frequent quarrels, delivering gifts late would inevitably lead to gossip.
Some might even say that since they had made money, they had grown big-headed and no longer cared for their elders.
After all, living in the same village meant maintaining at least a respectable reputation.
Furthermore, Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai were not unfilial, so delivering the gifts they had prepared certainly earned a good reputation.
Li Xuemei cut a large piece of meat, bought two three-pound carp, grabbed two big roosters from the coop, and four bottles of wine.
This was the traditional New Year’s gift among villagers.
Li Xuemei didn’t want to be too flashy.
Otherwise, it might lead to not being respectful, and the old lady might find faults in her, saying she was showing off and did not respect the elders.
This year’s gift could only be prepared because they had earned some money; in past years, the gifts were often cobbled together, and mostly, Li Qinghai would ask Li Weimin to send some items early to make such a gift happen.
The couple had often endured anxiety over these gifts.
Failing to deliver properly not only resulted in scolding from Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu but also gossip from the villagers.
Each year, the couple worried themselves seemingly grey over this.
Luckily, this year they didn’t have to deal with these concerns.
They could not use a cart; they had to walk.
Li Xuemei also thought of walking around the village, letting everyone see them so no rumors could spread.
Both Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai carried a basket filled with items covered in cloth, but at this point, everyone knew what it was for.
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